Marcus Mariota shines on Letterman

Kobe Bryant Says Oft-Injured Right Knee Is "95 Percent Better"

After a failed trade for Chris Paul, the loss of Lamar Odom and a pair of disappointing losses to open the season, the L.A. Lakers have received more than their fair share of bad news this month. But now for something good for the purple and gold: Kobe Bryant says his knee is now 95 percent better.

The Lakers' superstar played all 82 games last season, but due to a constantly sore right knee, he rarely practiced and his 33.9 minutes per game were his lowest in over a decade. Bryant's lack of mobility was perhaps one reason the Lakers were summarily dismissed from the playoffs last spring by the Dallas Mavericks.

But prior to tonight's game against the Knicks, Bryant told the media in L.A. that his knee was “95 percent better,” adding that it’s “as close to 100 percent” as it’s going to get, according to the Lakers site BasketBlog.

Bryant had 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Lakers last season. After the conclusion of the team's second-round playoff sweep in Dallas, he went to Germany for surgery to repair and strengthen the injured knee. So far, it's paid off.